Although many areas of California are fortunate enough to experience a significant amount of sunshine and warm weather compared to other parts of the United States, there are still certain times of the year during which the temperature gets cooler and the skies are more likely to appear overcast. With these inevitabilities in mind, people interested in solar energy solutions may wonder whether this kind of climate has an effect on the performance of solar panels.

It’s true that sunny days are ideal for this type of alternative energy, but solar panels still generate electricity in spite of cloudy conditions. Have you ever been to the beach on an overcast day and still gotten a sunburn? It’s kind of like that. Just because you can’t feel the sun’s rays beaming down, doesn’t mean they aren’t hitting the earth. Plus, the energy stored during periods when the sun is out can be used to fuel a home at night and when the weather is dreary.

Still not convinced? Consider the fact that, according to The Washington Post, Germany – which leads the world in solar power – gets about as much annual sunlight as Alaska. This hasn’t stopped it from installing 30 gigawatts of solar capacity by the end of 2012 – a notable achievement compared to America’s 6.4 gigawatts.

“While areas that have more intense direct sunlight due to clear skies and low humidity have more solar generation potential, even northeastern states in the [United States] have greater solar potential than Germany,” states Media Matters for America, a nonprofit research and information center.

The best way to go about investing in solar energy solutions is to get in touch with a company like West Coast Solar whose knowledgeable staff can take you step by step through a fully integrated construction process. We have an extensive background in the roofing industry and will take care of the entire installation to guarantee that you’re getting the best quality products and services. We’re also happy to answer any additional questions you have that may help inform this important decision.